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Tracie Gunningham has run a hair salon on The Broadway since 2001 and has seen footfall decrease sharply in that time.

She blames the problem on a lack of attractive stores for people to visit, as start-up companies simply cannot afford to set up shop there and create a profitable business.

"The rents and rates are high," she explained, "and cash flow is tight, but I am tied to The Broadway for the next three-and-a-half years.”

The Broadway was a through-road when it was built in the 1960s (Image: SWIB)

Similar comments were echoed on The Herald’s Facebook page, with many people calling for rates to be cheaper to encourage trade back into the area.

Hannah Birdie Baker said: “There is no excuse for why rent fees on the Broadway are more expensive than town or RWY [Royal William Yard] – there's lots of possibilities for lovely unique boutique shops if they lower the rent accordingly.”

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Jackie Lowe wrote: “Greedy landlords charging more rent than RWY [Royal William Yard] and city centre is the problem - full stop. Ultimately if they wanted it to be sustainable they wouldn't be doing this. The only reason to charge such extortionate rents is to run the Broadway into the ground and then develop it for housing and reap the financial rewards for that.

"Such a shame their isn't some way PCC [Plymouth City Council] can enforce a 'fair rental' policy and put these greedy landlords in their place. No one seems to be doing anything to stop this decline.”

Lynn Smith added: “I go to the Broadway every Saturday with my mum and sister. I wouldn’t say it’s a ghost town. "There’s always loads of people. Shops have closed down yes I agree. Well make the rent cheaper and you’ll attract more shops.”

Woolworths closed in January 2009 when it was the last store in the country still trading (Image: John Allen)

Despite the recent shop closures, which follows the trend of other high streets up and down the country, The Broadway management team says it hopes people will continue to shop local and anticipates new businesses moving in.

Rupert Grass, senior asset manager from Praxis Real Estate Management Limited, said: "We are working hard to address these vacancies and are in advanced discussions with a number of retailers who we are confident will commit to the centre in the near future."

Some readers harked back to older times when the Broadway was buzzing with shoppers.

June Romans said: “So sad to see what's happening. I had my first job in Woolies in the 1960s, as a Saturday girl, and the whole area was buzzing, loads of different shops. I hope it can be saved, it's mad that food supermarkets can't make a go of it in a residential area.”

Helen Cooper wrote: “Went there before Christmas for the first time in years, was sad to see how it looks now, growing up in Plymstock in the 80s it was the hive of the area, had everything you needed out there including Woolys, very rarely needed to go into town, such a shame.”

Plymstock Broadway

Lisa Carder added: “When I worked in the Woolworths here until it closed it was a bustling shopping precinct. I have watched it's sad demise as I shop here several times a week in Iceland and Superdrug and sometimes Peacocks. Planning permission has been admitted for the empty Coop building. Rumours are spreading that the landlords want to change half of the precinct to housing.

Mr Grass, on behalf of Praxis, which manages The Broadway, said the company "shares concerns" of residents and business owners, but added it is "confident" The Broadway will emerge from its current slump.

He said: "We share the concerns of the local community about the recent closures. The issue is not unique to Plymstock and shopping centres across the country are having to face up to the challenge presented by the ongoing structural changes in UK retailing.

The owners of hardware store Homeworkx left this sign on the door (Image: John Allen)

"The problems that New Look is facing as a business are well documented, as is the issue of nationwide bank closures. Plymstock has unfortunately been impacted by both in the last 18 months.

"Having said this, we are working hard to address these vacancies and are in advanced discussions with a number of retailers who we are confident will commit to the centre in the near future.